I 

Report  of 

Commission  to  Africa 


APrOINl'ED  BY  'rilE 

BOARD  OF  MANAGERS 

^  OF  THE 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  FOREIGN 
AIISSION  SOCIETY 


BOSTON,  MASSACHUSETTS 
1910 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2018  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/reportofcommissiOOamer_0 


REPORT  OF 

COMMISSION  TO  AFRICA 


RESOLUTIONS  ADOPTED  BY  THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS 
CHICAGO,  DECEMBER  2,  1909 


WJiereas,  the  Board  of  ^lanagcrs  of  the  American  Baptist  ^Missionary  Union 
at  their  session  in  June,  1909,  at  Portland,  Ore.,  authorized  the  securing  of  special 
sidjscriptions  to  test  the  willingness  of  individual  Baptists  to  assist  in  opening  up 
a  new  mission  in  the  Sudan,  with  the  understanding  that  a  response  of  at  least 
$‘21,000  would  be  a  minimum  requirement  for  the  first  three  years  of  such  a  mission, 
if  undertaken;  and 

Whereas,  the  authorized  brethren,  Joseph  Clark  and  Thomas  IMoody,  have 
reported  this  test  successfully  met  and  a  total  of  $39,000  secured;  and 

WJiereas,  the  Sudan  presents  the  largest  unevangelized  section  of  the  world 
today  and  is  in  esjjecial  danger  of  Ix'ing  occupied  by  Mohammedanism,  thus 
rendering  its  future  evangelization  much  more  difficult  than  at  present;  and 

Whereas,  onr  general  policy  in  Africa  shoidd  l:)c  the  assumption  of  larger 
responsibility  for  its  needs: 

Therefore,  this  Board,  pi-ofoundly  moved  by  the  ])ressing  needs  of  this  great 
field,  yet  mindful  also  of  the  necessity  of  proceeding  with  utmost  wisdom  in  the 
inauguration  of  a  work  which  once  begun  must  be  carried  forward  with  strength 
and  |X“rsistence  and  will  involve  responsibilities  extending  to  a  distant  future, 
hereby  authorize  the  Executive  C'ommittee  to  appoint  a  Coimnission  of  two  or 
three  comjjetent  men  whose  duty  it  shall  to  visit  the  field  of  the  contemplated 
mission  in  the  Sudan  and  to  report  to  the  Executive  Committee  and  to  this  Board 
fully  concerning  the  facts  of  the  situation  and  to  make  recommendations. 

The  Board  further  express  the  desire  that  this  Commission  sail  for  Africa 
within  three  months  of  this  date,  if  possible:  and  that  the  exfieases  of  the  Commission 
shall  be  paid  from  the  treasury  of  the  Mis.siouary  Union  subject  to  the  approval 
of  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Convention. 

Pending  the  re])ort  of  this  commission,  the  Board  request  their  .secretary  to 
notify  all  subscribers  to  the  s{>ecial  Sudan  fund  of  this  action  and  to  request  said 
subscribers  to  concur  in  the  action  of  the  Board  by  extending  the  time  when  the 
payment  of  this  subscription  may  be  called  for  until  the  report  of  the  Commission 
shall  have  l)een  received  and  acted  upon. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  action  the  Commission  was  appointed 
as  follows:  Rev.  W.  Jj.  Ferguson,  D.I).  of  South  India,  Rev.  Johnston 
Myers,  D.I).,  of  Chicago,  and  Rev.  J.  II.  Franklin,  of  Colorado  Springs, 
Colo.  Rev.  Joseph  Clark,  of  Africa,  was  ajvpointed  guide. 

References  in  the  above  resolutions  to  the  Board  of  Managers  and 
Executive  Committee  are  to  tlie  bodies  bearing  those  names  prior  to  the 
reorganization  at  Chicago  May,  1910.  The  j)resent  Board  of  Managers 
took  the  place  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

It  was  understood  that  the  Commission  should  also  visit  the  mission 
in  the  Congo  State  and  report  upon  conditions  there. 

4 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUBJECTS  OF  INQUIRY  PROPOSED 
TO  THE  COMMISSION 


THE  CONGO  MISSION 

I.  Are  the  changes  desirable  which  were  proposed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the 
Conference  of  the  Congo  mission,  viz.,  the  merging  of  the  Lukunga  field  and  the 
Palabala  field  with  the  work  at  Banza  Manteke  ? 

'■2.  If  this  proposed  merging  of  fields  is  made,  will  there  still  be  embarrassment 
in  territorial  relations  with  other  societies  ? 

3.  Is  the  present  force  of  Congo  missionaries  adequate  for  the  work  of  that 
mission  if  it  is  to  continue  on  its  present  basis  ? 

4.  Would  reduction  of  this  force  by  withdrawal  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moody  work  serious  injury? 

5.  Is  it  true  that  large  sections  of  the  interior  are  now  unoccupied  to  which 
mission  work  may  be  extended  when  a  norma!  political  situation  is  reached  ? 

6.  To  what  extent  are  these  districts  so  far  preempted  by  the  tentative  ex¬ 
pansion  of  the  work  of  societies  now  laboring  on  the  upper  river  that  our  entrance 
Mito  them  would  involve  unfraternal  action  ? 

7.  What  indications,  if  any,  do  you  observe  of  injustice  in  the  relations  of  the 
Government  with  mission  bodies  ?  What  in  the  dealings  of  the  Government  with 
the  native  peoples  ? 

8.  May  new  sites  be  purchased  and  titles  to  land  be  secured  by  mission  bodies 
in  the  country  as  a  whole?  In  the  lower  Congo?  In  the  vicinity  of  stations  now 
occuj:)ied  ?  In  unoccupied  sections  ? 

9.  Is  it  understood  definitely  that  new  sites  will  not  be  granted,  or  is  the  policy 
followed  indicated  only  in  refusal  of  sjiecific  applications  ? 

10.  (1)  Is  extension  of  our  work  {)racticable  at  present,  or  likely  ultimately 

to  be  ]>racticable,  in  the  territory  south  from  IMukiinvika  ?  (2)  In  the  French 

territory  north  and  west  from  our  field  at  Tshumbiri  ?  (3)  In  the  field  east  and 

southeast  from  Ikoko?  lu  the  territory  immediately  to  the  east  of  the  Great 
Lakes?  In  the  IJbanji  River  district?  In  the  district  beyond  the  upjjer  river 
and  Stanley  Falls  ? 

II.  Is  the  cost  of  transportation  a  serious  obstacle  to  extension  of  work  to 
these  .sections  ? 

12.  How  would  a  proposition  for  our  withdrawal  from  the  Congo  be  regarded 
by  other  societies  ? 

13.  Are  other  societies  prepared  to  take  u]j  our  work  in  case  of  withdrawal? 
Are  these  societies  prepared  to  assume  entire  responsibility  for  the  country  as  a 
whole  ? 

14.  Is  there  ground  for  just  com])laint  in  the  relations  of  Roman  Catliolic 
missions  with  our  own  ? 

15.  In  what  way  may  embarrassment  from  this  source  be  avoided  or  lessened  ? 

16.  At  what  stations  should  medical  work  be  provided  ? 

17.  Is  the  transfer  of  Dr.  Lynch  to  another  station  (e.g.,  Ikoko)  desirable  at 
least  as  a  temporary  plan  ? 

18.  Secure  a  complete  inventory  of  mission  projierties.  Is  the  title  clear  in 
all  cases  ? 

19.  What  action,  if  any,  would  you  recommend  regarding  the  property  owned 
by  the  Society  at  Ijcopoldville  ? 


NORTHERN  NIGERIA 


20.  What  facts  do  you  learn  as  to  the  population  of  Northern  Nigeria  ? 

21.  What  races  are  represented? 

22.  What  missionary  bodies  are  at  work  in  this  country? 

23.  hat  stations  are  occupied  ? 

21.  What  territory  is  commanded  by  these  stations? 

25.  How  much  has  been  accomphshed  ? 

26.  State  any  significant  fact  in  relation  to  their  work. 

27.  What  is  your  impression  as  to  the  character  and  promise  of  the  people 
of  the  country? 

28.  What  part  of  the  population  is  Mohammedan  ? 

29.  What  part  is  pagan  ? 

30.  Is  the  Mohammedan  element  aggressively  antagonistic  to  Christianity? 

31.  Is  its  influence  rapidly  e.xtending? 

32.  Is  the  Government  likely  to  press  the  policy  of  neutrality  so  far  as  to 
proliibit  missionary'  work  among  Mohammedans  ?  So  far  as  to  restrict  missionary 
work  in  sections  partly  IMohammedan  ? 

33.  Is  the  practice  of  allotment  and  definition  of  territory  by  the  Government 
as  prevailing  in  other  British  protectorates  in  Africa  followed  in  Northern  Nigeria? 

34.  ^^ill  missionaries,  if  observing  projjer  precautions  in  avoidance  of  irrita¬ 
tion  of  Mohammedan  prejudices,  be  allowed  a  fairly  free  hand  in  organizing  and 
extending  their  work  ?  If  not,  what  restrictions  are  likely  to  be  imposed  ? 

35.  In  case  of  the  o])ening  of  work,  what  would  be  your  judgment  as  to  the 
numlier  of  stations  to  l)e  occufued  at  the  outset,  the  number  of  missionaries  re¬ 
quired,  and  the  financial  expenditure  to  be  contemplated  ? 

36.  What  center  or  centers  of  work  would  you  suggest? 

37.  What  is  the  area  and  population  of  the  proposed  field? 

38.  hat  races  are  represented  ? 

39.  ^^hat  proportion  of  the  population  is  Mohammedan?  What  proportion 
pagan  ? 

40.  Arc  IMohammedan  antagonism  and  activity  relatively  strong  or  moderate  ? 

41.  What  attitude  to  missionary  work  is  held  by  the  British  resident? 

42.  IIow'  far  removed  is  the  j)roposed  field  from  fields  occupied  by  other 
societies  ? 

43.  State  the  distance  between  the  j^roposed  central  station  and  the  central 
stations  of  other  societies. 

44.  Report  in  general  as  to  climatic  conditions,  healthfulne.ss  and  accessibility 
of  resorts  favorable  to  recuperation. 

45.  What  language  or  languages  should  be  acquired  by  the  mis.sionary? 
Would  this  task  be  relatively  easy  or  difficult? 

46.  What  arrangements  would  naturally  be  made  for  transportation  of  suj>- 
plies  ?  \Miat  expense  would  lie  involved  ? 

47.  Is  the  cost  of  li\ing  relatively  low  or  high? 

48.  Is  the  cost  of  building  construction  relatively  low  or  liigh  ? 

49.  Are  other  mission  bodies  favorable  to  occupation  of  this  field  by  our 
society  ? 

50.  Is  the  present  time,  in  your  judgment,  favorable  for  entrance  into  Nigeria 
with  a  Gew  to  active  effort  to  reach  the  Mohammedan  population? 

51.  What  in  general  is  the  prospect  of  effective,  influential  work  if  limited  to 
the  pagan  population  ? 

52.  In  your  judgment  are  the  present  crisis  and  opportunity  in  this  field  such 
that  you  would  recommend  the  society  to  establish  work  here  at  the  present  time  ? 

53.  Would  you  recommend  this  if  it  should  prove  to  be  possible  only  by  dis¬ 
continuance  or  restriction  of  work  in  the  Congo  field? 

54.  Would  you  favor  this  course  in  case  it  w'ere  to  involve  continued  or  in¬ 
creased  embarrassment  to  the  work  now  conducted  by  the  society  in  other  fields  ? 


6 


LETTER  OF  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  THE  COMMISSION 


Boston,  Mass.,  April  15,  1910. 

Dear  Brethren: 

Under  the  instructions  given  to  the  Executive  Comnrittee  by  the  Board  of 
Managers  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Alission  Society  you  are  asked  to  serve 
as  a  Commission  to  visit  Northern  Nigeria  and  the  field  of  the  Congo  Mission 
in  Central  Africa.  The  Committee  have  for  some  time  planned  for  a  visit  to  the 
Congo  Mission  for  conference  with  the  mission  body  regarding  the  general  interests 
of  its  work.  The  visit  to  the  Sudan  is  made  with  a  view  to  determining  the  tlesira- 
bility  of  entrance  upon  wmrk  in  that  country  by  the  Society  and  the  selection  of  a 
field  of  work  in  case  a  favorable  decision  shall  be  reached.  The  policy  ofo])ening 
work  in  this  section  has  been  considered  by  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Society 
at  several  recent  meetings.  The  Executive  Committee,  prior  to  the  action  of  the 
Board,  deemed  the  policy  inexpedient.  This  judgment  was  not  due  to  doubt  as 
to  the  greatness  of  the  needs  of  extension  of  missionary  effort  in  the  Sudan,  but  to 
the  painful  inability  of  the  Society  with  the  recruits  and  the  financial  resources 
at  its  disposal  to  make  proper  provision  for  the  W’ork  to  which  it  is  akeady  com¬ 
muted.  In  \dew  of  the  deep  interest  awakened  in  the  Sudan  by  addresses  of  Mr. 
ISIoody  and  Mr.  Clark  and  the  pledging  of  a  guaranty  fund  for  a  term  of  three  years, 
the  action  under  which  your  Commission  is  constituted  was  taken  by  the  Board. 
A  copy  of  the  vote  of  the  Board  will  be  placed  in  your  hands. 

Rev.  Joseph  Clark  has  been  asked  to  accompany  you  in  your  journey.  His 
long  residence  in  the  Congo  State  and  his  familiarity  with  general  conditions  in 
Africa  will  make  his  service  most  valuable.  The  Coimnittee  are  very  grateful 
that  his  help  is  available.  Determination  of  all  details  of  plans  for  the  journey 
is  left  with  the  Commission  under  advice  of  Mr.  Clark,  who  in  the  Congo  will  seek 
to  meet  as  fully  as  possible  the  convenience  of  the  mission  body.  We  suggest 
that  while  in  England  you  shall  seek  interviews  with  representatives  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society  and  the  Sudan  United  Mission  regarding  conditions  in  Nigeria, 
with  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society  and  the  Congo  Balolo  Mission,  and  Mr. 
Hai'vey  and  Air.  Bain,  missionaries  of  our  own  Society,  regarding  the  situation 
in  the  Congo;  also  with  E.  D.  Alorel  of  the  Congo  Reform  Association  of  Great 
Britain,  Arundel  Street,  London,  and  Rev.  J.  II.  Harris,  also  of  the  Congo  Reform 
Association,  and  formerly  a  missionary  of  the  Congo  Balolo  Alission  in  the  interior 
of  the  Congo  State.  An  interview  with  representatives  of  the  government  may 
also  be  desirable  in  the  interest  of  an  understanding  as  to  the  attitude  held  toward 
missionary  work  in  Nigeria;  in  any  case  such  interview  shoidtl  be  sought  wdth 
officials  in  Nigeria.  A  visit  to  Brussels  is  desirable  in  observance  of  courtesies 
toward  the  Belgian  Government.  Air.  Clark  has  met  the  Belgian  minister  in 
^^'ashington.  It  will  be  well  to  arrange  for  an  interview  with  Air.  Renkin,  the 
Belgian  colonial  minister,  and  to  meet  at  Boma  the  resident  governor-general. 
At  Brussels  a  \dsit  may  lie  paid  also  to  AI.  Rochedieu  and  AI.  Anet,  representatives 
of  two  branches  of  the  Protestant  churches  of  Belgium.  The  Protestant  element 
in  Belgium  is  a  small  body.  Recently  it  has  contemplated  missionary  work  in  the 
Congo.  AI.  Rochedieu  formally  proposed  that  plans  be  shaped  for  ultimate 
transfer  of  all  Protestant  work  to  a  Belgian  society  under  subskh’es  by  the  govern¬ 
ment.  No  one  of  the  missionary  organizations  conducting  w'ork  in  the  Congo 
was  able  to  approve  this  plan,  and  the  thought,  we  understand,  has  been  definitely 
abandoned  in  Belgium.  AI.  Rochedieu  pressed  also  a  proposition  for  constituting 
in  Belgium  a  representative  of  Protestant  mission  interests  who  should  be  authorized 
to  conduct  all  negotiations  with  government.  The  missionary  societies  have  not 
been  willing  to  relinquish  their  individual  right  of  free  approach  to  the  government 
under  the  position  secured  to  them  by  the  Conference  in  Berhn  in  1885  and  by 
subsequent  treaties.  They  suggested  that  they  would  entertain  a  plan  for  creation 
of  a  representative  committee  with  advisory  powers.  Apparently  no  steps  have 
been  taken  toward  this. 


7 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


It  is  understood  that  in  Africa  you  will  first  visit  the  Congo  territory,  where 
plans  will  include  a  meeting  with  the  entire  mission  body  in  a  conference,  to  be 
lield  preferably  after  your  \dsits  to  missionary  stations  of  the  upper  and  lower 
river  have  been  made,  and  that  the  visit  to  Nigeria  will  be  made  on  your  return 
journey.  It  is  desirable  that  in  the  visit  to  the  Congo  all  mission  stations  of  the 
Society  and  the  more  important  accessible  stations  of  other  societies  shall  be  \asited. 
It  is  understood  that  in  Nigeria  ^^sits  will  be  made  to  as  many  existing  mission 
stations  as  practicable  and  that  a  tour  will  be  made  in  the  provinces  deemed  most 
favorable  to  occupation.  A  ^dsit  to  Zungeru,  the  seat  of  government,  obviously 
is  desirable. 

The  two  features  of  the  double  mission  with  which  you  are  charged  are  not 
necessarily  related  to  each  other.  Whatever  decision  may  Ijc  reached  regarding 
the  Sudan,  enlightened  and  just  action  regarding  the  Congo  work  is  earnestly  to 
be  sought.  The  association  of  the  two  issues  is  due,  first,  to  the  offer  of  Mr.  Moody 
and  Mr.  Clark  to  undertake  work  in  the  Sudan,  and  second,  to  the  thought  enter¬ 
tained  by  some  that  resources  heretofore  devoted  to  work  in  the  Congo  may  be 
diverted,  at  least  for  a  time,  to  another  field  without  serious  loss  to  the  Congo 
work.  Their  impression  has  resulted  from  a  belief  that  the  work  in  the  district 
now  occujiied  in  the  Congo  is  embarrassed  by  the  presence  of  an  unduly  large 
number  of  societies  and  workers,  and  that  a  plan  for  expansion  in  the  interior  of 
the  country  is  not  only  precluded  at  present  by  the  attitude  of  the  Belgian  Govern¬ 
ment,  but  is  not  hkely  ultimately  to  be  found  practicable  for  our  Society. 

In  your  visit  to  the  Congo  mission  you  are  asked  to  hold  in  mind  three  main 
issues : 

(1)  The  general  interests  of  the  work  of  the  mission  as  now  conducted.  These 
should  be  considered  in  the  general  conference  with  the  mission  body.  It  is  desired 
that,  as  in  the  conferences  held  last  year  in  the  Far  East  and  in  those  planned  for 
the  coming  fall  in  British  India,  the  discussion  shall  be  full  and  frank  concerning 
all  mission  interests.  Dr.  Ferguson,  who  was  present  at  the  conferences  in  the 
East,  will  be  able  to  give  valuable  assistance  in  this.  Pamphlets  relating  to  the 
conference  in  the  East  and  the  policies  followed  by  the  Society  will  be  put  in  your 
hands,  also  a  program  of  topics  arranged  for  one  of  the  Eastern  conferences  which 
may  be  found  suggestive. 

(2)  The  i.ssue  as  to  embarrassment  in  territorial  relations  with  other  societies, 
the  practicability  and  justifiableness  of  transfer  to  other  organizations  in  whole 
or  in  part  of  the  work  now  conducted  by  our  mission,  and  possibilities  in  present 
or  ultimate  expansion  of  the  work. 

(3)  The  policy  of  the  government  as  related  to  freedom  in  the  prosecution 
and  extension  of  mission  work  and  to  just  and  humane  dealing  with  the  native 
l^eoples. 

In  the  visit  to  the  Sudan,  the  issues  to  be  considered  will  naturally  include 
( limatic  and  other  local  conditions,  the  prevailing  religious  destitution,  the  policy  of 
government  as  affecting  freedom  in  mission  work,  the  accessibility  of  the  ^loham- 
medan  jiopulation,  the  rijjeness  or  unripeness  of  opportunity  for  entrance  upon 
work  for  Mohammedan  j)eoples,  the  opening  among  pagan  populations  as  related 
to  the  availability  of  fields,  and  the  work  begun  or  contem])lated  by  other  societies. 

A  list  of  questions  and  subjeets  of  inquiry  covering  in  a  general  way  the  issues 
upon  which  information  is  desii-ed  by  the  Committee  will  be  given  you.  Additional 
j)oints  will  occur  to  you  and  will  be  suggested  by  missionaries  and  others.  It  is 
assumed  that  your  investigations  will  be  made  with  all  possible  freedom  and  thor¬ 
oughness  in  respect  to  all  interests,  affecting  mission  work  in  the  two  countries. 

We  are  grateful  for  your  readiness  to  undertake  the  service  to  which  you  are 
appointed.  We  pray  earnestly  that  God  may  watch  over  your  health,  that  he 
may  guide  you  by  his  counsel,  and  that  the  results  of  your  mission  may  lie  of  lasting 
benefit  to  the  work  of  the  Society  and  the  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  God. 

In  behalf  of  the  Executive  Committee, 

Very  sincerely  yours. 

Rev.  Johnsio7i  Myers,  D.D.  (Signed)  Thomas  S.  Barbour, 

Hei'.  IF.  L.  Ferguson,  D.D.  Foreign  Secretary. 

Rev.  J .  H.  Franklin. 


8 


REPORT  OF  COMMISSION 


To  THE  Board  of  Managers,  American  Baffist  Foreign  Mission 

Society,  Boston,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A. 

Dear  Brethren: 

Your  Commission  appointed  to  visit  the  Congo  Mission  and  the  Sudan, 
having  completed  its  labor,  submits  the  following  report; 

ORGANIZATION  AND  PRELIMINARY  WORK 

The  members  of  the  Commission  first  met  in  London,  on  April  28, 
1910,  at  the  office  of  Messrs.  Bride  &  Eastland,  No.  39  City  Road,  where 
a  conference  was  held  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harvey  and  Mr.  Clark,  all  of 
the  Congo  Mission,  regarding  plans  for  the  journey  in  the  Congo,  places 
to  be  visited,  information  to  be  sought,  conditions  to  be  investigated  and 
topics  requiring  special  attention.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  the  Com¬ 
mission  organized  by  electing  W.  L.  Ferguson  chairman,  and  J.  11.  Frank¬ 
lin  secretary.  Visits  were  paid  to  the  headquarters  of  the  Baptist  Mission¬ 
ary  Society  and  of  the  Congo  Balolo  Mission,  and  extended  interviews  were 
held  with  Secretaries  Wilson  and  Forfeit!  of  the  former,  and  with  Secretary 
Wilkes  of  the  latter,  regarding  Congo  conditions  and  interests.  Arrange¬ 
ments  also  were  partially  completed  for  the  voyage  of  the  Commission  on 
the  Congo  River  above  Stanley  Pool. 

Similar  visits  were  made  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Church  Mission¬ 
ary  Society  and  of  the  Sudan  LTnited  Mission,  where  information  was 
sought  regarding  the  work  of  these  bodies  in  Northern  Nigeria,  the  extent 
of  territory  unoccupied  by  missionary  societies,  plans  for  future  extension 
of  the  work,  and  attitude  regarding  the  possible  entrance  of  new  societies 
into  the  province. 

The  Commission  also  met  the  Rev.  J.  II.  Harris,  of  the  Society  for 
the  Protection  of  Indigenous  Races,  and  a  call  was  made  at  the  office  of 
Mr.  E.  D.  Morel,  of  the  Congo  Reform  Association.  Unfortunately  Mr. 
Morel  was  out  of  the  city;  but  his  assistants  furnished  the  Commission 
with  the  latest  publications  regarding  Congo  reform  operations,  and  later 
with  a  copy  of  a  memorial,  signed  by  some  one  hundred  and  fifty  members 
of  the  British  Parliament,  which  called  for  government  action  concerning 
Congo  affairs. 

The  latest  maps,  government  reports  and  books  pertaining  to  the 
Congo  and  Northern  Nigeria  were  procured  with  the  object  of  obtain incr 
the  fullest  information  possible  concerning  the  lands  to  be  visited. 

9 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


The  third  of  May  found  the  Commission  in  Belgium.  After  a  brief 
call  at  the  American  Consulate  in  Antwerp,  Brussels  was  visited,  and 
arrangements  were  made  with  the  United  States  minister,  the  Hon. 
Charles  B.  Bryan,  for  an  interview  with  M.  Renkin,  the  Belgian  Colonial 
Secretary.  This  took  place  on  the  following  day,  and  was  purely  a  formal 
affair,  no  special  discussion  being  had  regarding  political  conditions  in  the 
Congo. 

While  in  Brussels  calls  were  also  made  upon  M.  Anet  and  M.  Roche- 
dieu,  representatives  of  the  two  bodies  of  Protestants  in  Belgium,  from 
whom  it  was  learned  that  steps  are  being  taken  to  establish  a  Belgian 
Protestant  Mission  to  the  Congo.  The  details  of  the  plan  have  not  yet 
been  worked  out ;  but  it  is  hoped  that  within  a  couple  of  years  a  beginning 
may  be  made. 

In  Brussels  there  is  a  permanent  Congo  Exhibition  and  Museum.  A 
visit  to  this  was  very  profitable  in  giving  the  Commission  a  glimpse  of  the 
country  and  the  people  towards  which  both  thoughts  and  steps  were 
tending. 

From  May  5  to  26  was  occupied  in  journeying  from  Antwerp  to 
Matadi,  during  which  there  was  opportunity  for  much  reading  and  study, 
and  for  almost  daily  converse  with  a  number  of  missionaries  of  different 
societies,  regarding  the  Congo  and  various  features  of  missionary  life  and 
work  in  that  land. 


VISITATION  ON  THE  CONGO 

During  its  stay  in  the  Congo  the  Commission  proceeded  some  eight 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  up  the  river,  and  sought  to  see  as  many  of  the 
stations  and  as  much  of  the  work  of  other  missions  as  possible,  in  order  to 
become  familiar  with  conditions,  types  of  work,  and  possibilities  of  suc¬ 
cess,  and  also  for  the  purposes  of  comparison  with  our  own.  On  its  return 
from  the  ujiper  river  the  Commission  took  a  cross-country  tramp  of  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  was  thus  enabled  to  see  much  of  Congo 
village  life  and  to  appreciate  the  difficulties  which  beset  the  missionaries  in 
bringing  the  gospel  to  the  people.  The  places  visited  were:  The  station 
of  the  Christian  and  Missionary  Alliance  at  Boma;  the  stations  of  the 
Baptist  Missionary  Society  at  Matadi,  Thysville,  Ivinshassa,  Bolobo  and 
Lukolela;  the  stations  of  the  Congo  Balolo  Mission  at  Leopoldville,  Lu- 
langa  and  Bonginda;  the  station  of  the  Foreign  Christian  Missionary 
Society  at  Bolenge;  and  the  stations  of  the  Swedish  Missionary  Society  at 
Mukimbungu  and  Matadi. 


10 


Report  op  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


The  Commission  was  able  to  visit  all  the  stations  of  the  American 
Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  except  Cuillo.  The  journey  thither  and 
return  would  have  occupied  a  month  or  more ;  and  since  the  station  is  only 
in  temporary  quarters  which  are  at  present  unoccupied  by  a  missionary, 
little  seemed  likely  to  be  accomplished  by  such  a  visit. 

At  Tshumbiri  a  part  of  three  days,  including  a  Sunday,  was  spent.  A 
good  work  is  evidently  in  progress  here.  Fully  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  people  were  present  at  the  morning  service,  at  the  close  of  which  three 
baptisms  occurred.  The  good  order  and  attention  were  remarkable. 
Several  outstations  are  supported  by  the  offerings  of  the  church  and  new 
work  is  opened  as  fast  as  contributions  permit.  The  most  pressing  need 
is  for  a  stronger  and  better  school. 

At  Ikoko  two  Sundays  were  spent,  on  the  second  of  which  fully  six 
hundred  people  came  together  for  the  morning  service.  Thirty-nine  people 
were  baptized  and  some  one  hundred  more  have  their  names  enrolled  as 
enquirers  and  applicants  for  baptism.  The  singing  of  the  people  is  en¬ 
thusiastic  and  inspiring.  The  needs  are,  a  new  chapel,  special  work  for 
women  and  children,  a  stronger  school,  a  physician  and  a  hospital.  This 
is  a  fine  field  and  the  time  seems  most  opportune  for  a  larger  work  and 
great  ingatherings. 

Leopoldville  work  is  at  present  in  the  hands  of  the  Congo  Balolo 
Mission  and  the  property  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 
is  occupied  by  that  society.  Here  we  have  the  best  equipped  compound 
in  our  Congo  Mission. 

Kimpesi  is  the  scene  of  a  joint  effort  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society 
and  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  in  theological  edu¬ 
cation.  The  Commission  was  very  favorably  impressed  with  the  sub¬ 
stantial  progress  made  in  clearing  the  grounds  and  erecting  the  buildings, 
the  quality  of  the  students,  and  the  character  of  the  work  being  done. 
However,  it  is  clear  that  only  a  beginning  has  been  made.  The  need  is 
to  strengthen  and  develop  the  school  in  staff,  material  equipment  and 
efficiency. 

Sona  Bata.  After  many  vicissitudes,  during  which  the  mission  has 
occupied  three  different  sites  and  lost  heavily  in  the  number  of  church 
members,  a  permanent  abode  and  settled  conditions  for  work  seem  at 
last  to  have  been  reached.  The  work  at  present  is  past  the  decline  and 
the  outlook  in  a  very  extensive  field  is  hopeful.  The  most  immediate  need 
is  for  a  larger  and  stronger  station  school. 

Lakunga.  This  was  formerly  a  chief  station  on  the  old  transport 

11 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


route  between  Matadi  and  Stanley  Pool.  Since  the  coming  of  the  railway 
it  has  lost  its  importance.  At  one  time  the  church  members  on  the  field 
numbered  about  twelve  hundred.  Now  there  are  five  hundred  and  sixty. 
Population  has  decreased  during  the  past  years,  so  that  now  there  are  only 
about  eleven  thousand  five  hundred  people  within  bounds  of  the  mission. 
At  the  time  of  the  Commission’s  visit,  some  two  hundred  Christians  were 
in  attendance  at  a  Sunday  morning  service.  These  were  mostly  from  the 
near-by  villages.  A  fortnight  before  there  was  a  general  meeting  of 
workers  and  Christians  from  all  parts  of  the  field,  when  some  five  hundred 
people  were  gathered  together  for  three  days  and  twenty-eight  persons 
were  baptized.  Buildings,  with  one  exception,  are  in  bad  condition,  and 
the  missionary  staff  is  sadly  depleted.  Schools  and  intensive  work  are 
needed. 

Banza  Manteke.  Because  of  its  location,  the  size  of  its  church  mem¬ 
bership  (1900),  and  the  educational  and  literary  work  hitherto  done  here, 
this  has  been  regarded  as  the  premier  station  of  the  American  Baptist 
Foreign  Mission  Society  on  the  Congo.  Latterly  several  changes  have 
taken  place,  which,  taken  collectively,  affect  the  work  most  adversely;  e.g., 
the  absence  of  Messrs.  Richards  and  Harvey  on  furlough,  the  closing  of 
some  of  the  schools,  the  lack  of  visitation  and  touring  due  to  shortness  of 
staff,  and  a  revival  of  heathen  customs  among  the  people,  in  which  a 
number  of  the  Christians  have  become  ensnared.  The  situation  is  critical 
and  demands  immediate  and  careful  attention.  The  station  needs  rein¬ 
forcement,  a  school  of  higher  grade,  special  work  for  women,  and  a  con¬ 
siderable  outlay  for  the  repair  of  existing  buildings  and  the  erection  of  new 
ones. 

Palahala.  The  Commission  found  a  work  of  grace  in  progress  here 
also.  On  the  day  previous  to  its  arrival  some  sixty  converts  had  been 
received  into  the  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  are  about  to  proceed  on 
furlough.  It  seems  particularly  unfortunate  that  at  such  a  time  the 
station  must  be  left  without  a  resident  missionary  to  press  forward  the 
good  work,  to  conserve  and  develop  what  has  been  won.  A  new  chapel  is 
asked  for. 

Matadi  stands  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Lower  Congo.  Here 
the  large  ocean  steamers  discharge  and  take  on  passengers  and  cargo,  and 
here  is  the  beginning  of  the  railway  which  carries  traffic  past  the  cataracts 
and  connects  with  the  Upper  Congo  steamers  at  Stanley  Pool.  Here  the 
Baptist  Missionary  Society,  the  Swedish  Missionary  Society,  the  Congo 
Balolo  Mission  and  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  have 

12 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


headquarter  stations  for  receiving  and  forwarding  missionaries  and  their 
goods.  A  feature  of  our  work  there  is  the  large  native  congregation  which 
assembles  for  worship  on  Sunday.  Some  three  hundred  were  present 
at  the  time  of  the  Commission’s  visit,  all  of  whom,  except  three  or  four, 
were  men.  They  come  largely  from  the  country  to  work  on  the  railway, 
in  the  port,  and  as  carriers.  There  is  need  for  a  new  bungalow  to  be  used  as 
a  guest-house  for  missionaries,  and  for  a  missionary  family  to  look  after 
the  field  and  the  entertainment  of  guests,  thus  leaving  Dr.  Sims  free  for 
medical  work,  the  treasury,  transportation,  etc. 

Mukimvika.  The  most  apparent  need  here  is  for  evangelistic  work 
on  the  field,  and  for  this  a  missionary  family  should  be  set  apart.  A  large 
hospital,  which  gives  some  ten  thousand  treatments  a  year,  is  in  operation; 
the  station  is  equipped  with  bungalows,  outbuildings  and  chapel.  No 
great  outlay  of  funds  would  be  necessary;  but  the  opening  made  by  the 
medical  work  should  be  follow'ed  and  results  obtained  in  the  villages  round 
about. 


THE  CONFERENCE 

Following  the  visits  on  the  upper  and  the  lower  river  was  the  Con¬ 
ference  at  Matadi,  from  July  12  to  18,  in  which  all  the  policies,  plans  and 
needs  of  the  Mission  were  considered  by  the  missionaries  and  the  Com¬ 
mission.  The  range  of  subjects  and  the  general  method  of  conducting 
the  Conference  were  analagous  to  those  pursued  by  Dr.  Barbour  in  his 
recent  visit  to  the  missions  in  the  Far  East.  Free,  full  and  fraternal  dis¬ 
cussion  was  sought  concerning  all  interests,  administrative,  financial,  inter¬ 
denominational  and  special.  Inasmuch  as  the  minutes  and  resolutions 
of  the  Conference  have  been  forwarded  to  you  through  the  regular  chan¬ 
nels,  there  is  no  need  here  to  speak  in  full  detail.  The  Commission  would 
call  particular  attention  to  the  resolution  of  the  Conference  regarding 
closer  relations  between  the  home  administration  and  the  field,  and  would 
express  the  opinion  that  some  form  of  supervision,  mutually  acceptable  to 
the  society  and  the  mission  would  greatly  add  to  the  efficiency  of  the  work. 

REPLY  TO  QUESTIONS 

Certain  specific  cjuestions  were  addressed  to  the  Commission  by  the 
Executive  Committee  for  answer. 

1.  The  proposed  merging  of  Palabala  and  Lukunga  fields  with 
Banza  Manteke  does  not  commend  itself  either  to  the  Commission  or  to 
the  missionary  body.  True,  the  Conference  at  a  former  session  said  that 

13 


American  Bapiist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


such  a  merging  was  possible;  but  this  action  was  taken  under  stress 
of  circumstances,  when  there  seemed  to  be  no  hope  of  maintaining 
educational  work  at  Banza  Manteke,  unless  the  missionaries  from 
neighboring  stations  were  called  in.  Both  Palabala  and  Lukimga 
should  be  retained  as  mission  stations,  with  missionaries  in  residence; 
and  the  educational  and  other  needs  of  Banza  Manteke  should  be 
supplied. 

2.  There  is  at  present  no  embarrassment  in  regard  to  territorial 
relations  with  other  societies,  except  in  one  instance,  where  the  Swedish 
Missionary  Society  desires  to  enlarge  its  Mukimbungu  field  by  taking  over 
from  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  the  Lukunga  field. 
This  does  not  commend  itself  to  the  Commission  as  a  practicable  plan. 
The  wiser  way  would  be  for  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission 
Society  to  take  over  the  Mukimbungu  field  from  the  Swedish  Missionary 
Society  if  it  would  part  with  it,  and  in  return  give  to  the  Swedish  Mission¬ 
ary  Society  compensation  for  its  buildings  and  grounds  at  Mukimbungu; 
and  to  surrender  all  that  portion  of  Lukunga  field  lying  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Congo  River.  If  this  arrangement  can  be  effected,  all  question 
of  boundaries  between  the  two  societies  will  be  forever  settled,  as  all 
of  the  Swedish  Alissionary  Society’s  work  would  be  on  the  north  bank  and 
all  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society’s  work  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Congo  River. 

3.  The  present  staff  of  Congo  missionaries  is  by  no  means  adequate 
to  carry  on  the  work,  even  if  it  is  to  continue  only  on  the  basis  of  present 
organization. 

4.  As  to  the  proposed  withdrawal  of  Messrs.  Clark  and  Moody 
from  the  Congo  staff,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Conference  and  the  Com¬ 
mission  that  the  withdrawal  of  any  qualified  missionary  from  the  already 
depleted  staff  of  the  mission  would  work  serious  injury  to  the  field. 

5.  Regarding  possible  new  fields.  On  the  Congo  River  itself,  ex¬ 
cept  in  French  territory,  all  the  fields  seem  to  be  either  fully  occupied 
or  preempted  for  occupancy  by  the  various  societies  now  at  work;  but 
off  the  main  river  there  are  now  large  areas,  in  the  Congo  Beige,  in  which 
missions  may  be  established,  if  societies  will  supply  the  requisite  means 
for  entrance. 

6.  In  the  case  of  fields  recommended  by  the  Conference  for  occu¬ 
pation  at  once,  as  also  in  others,  clearly  our  entrance  into  them  would 
involve  no  unfraternal  action.  There  is  abundant  room  for  expansion 
of  missionary  work  in  Congo  territory. 


14 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


7.  Missions  seem  to  be  receiving  as  fair  treatment  as  existing  govern¬ 
ment  regulations  permit. 

8  and  9.  Theoretically,  new  sites  may  be  obtained :  practically,  the 
matter  can  be  determined  only  by  making  specific  application.  Several 
societies  have  secured  new  sites  in  territory  adjacent  to  their  present 
fields.  Another  society  has  been  unable,  so  far,  to  secure  sites  in  territory 
it  desires  to  enter,  though  its  application  has  long  been  pending. 

10  and  11.  It  is  imperative  that  a  man  for  evangelistic  work  be 
stationed  at  Mukimvika.  If  this  is  done,  expansion  is  possible  in  the 
territory  to  the  south.  Dr.  Lynch  estimates  the  population  to  be  rea^'hed 
at  twenty-five  thousand.  Expansion  from  Tshumbiri  into  French  ter¬ 
ritory  is  possible,  provided  the  society  complies  with  the  requirements 
of  the  French  Government.  Regarding  the  possibilities  in  the  Ubangi 
River  district,  the  Commission  was  unable  to  procure  reliable  infor¬ 
mation.  Ikoko  offers  a  fine  field  for  expansion;  but  the  region  bordering 
the  Great  Lakes  and  beyond  Stanley  Falls  is  too  remote  from  our  present 
fields  to  induce  occupancy.  Other  societies  now  working  much  nearer 
to  these  regions  will  naturally  expect  to  expand  to  them.  The  Baptist 
Missionary  Society  has  applied  for  new  sites  in  the  Stanley  Falls  zone. 
The  cost  of  transportation  would  be  a  serious  obstacle  to  expansion  in 
this  section  were  there  no  other  reasons. 

12  and  13.  A  proposition  for  the  withdrawal  of  the  x4merican  Bap¬ 
tist  Foreign  Mission  Society  from  work  on  the  Congo  would  meet  with 
very  great  disfavor  by  other  societies  at  work  there.  The  spirit  of  har¬ 
mony  and  cooperation  among  the  various  missions  is  hearty  and  genuine. 
There  is  a  wonderful  unanimity  among  them  in  practice;  e.g.,  all  the 
missions  on  the  main  river  practice  immersion  of  believers  only.  More¬ 
over,  other  societies  are  not  prepared  to  take  up  our  work  should  it  be 
laid  down,  as  all  confess  that  they  are  having  a  struggle  to  keep  up  their 
own  work  as  they  should. 

14  and  15.  There  seems  to  be  just  ground  for  complaint  regarding 
the  relations  of  Roman  Catholic  missions  with  our  own;  but  since  the 
causes  are  inherent  in  the  policy  and  system  followed  by  them,  we  see 
no  present  way  of  remedying  the  evil. 

16.  Medical  work  should  be  opened  at  Ikoko  at  once.  It  is  desir¬ 
able  for  the  near  future  in  Sona  Bata,  and  possibly  elsewhere. 

17.  The  transfer  of  Dr.  Lynch  from  Mukimvika  is  not  desirable,  even 
as  a  temporary  measure. 

18.  The  titles  to  all  properties  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign 

15 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


Mission  Society  in  the  Congo  Beige  are  clear,  and  an  inventory  is  here¬ 
with  submitted. 

19.  The  society’s  property  at  Leopoldville  should  be  held  with  a 
view  to  possible  re-occupation  in  the  future,  since  Leopoldville  is  a 
strategic  center  and  is  of  growing  importance. 


CONCLUSIONS  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS 

The  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  has  in  its  Congo 
Mission  a  work,  which,  when  judged  by  results,  especially  in  evangelism, 
is  second  to  none  on  the  main  river.  The  mission  has  suffered  through 
inadequate  support,  particularly  as  regards  staff,  schools  and  material 
equipment.  Better  and  larger  results  might  have  accrued  and  sad  losses 
been  prevented  if  the  needs  of  the  work  had  been  better  understood 
and  supplied.  Many  of  the  other  causes  which  conspired  to  hinder 
the  work  are  now  passing.  With  the  opening  of  the  railway  the  miser¬ 
able  porterage  system  on  the  lower  river,  by  which  hundreds  and  thous¬ 
ands  of  men  lost  their  lives,  has  practically  come  to  an  end;  the  ravages 
caused  by  sleeping  sickness  have  somewhat  abated;  and  the  misrule  of 
the  old  Congo  Free  State  on  the  upper  river  seems  about  to  be  rejilaced 
by  a  happier  and  healthier  condition  of  affairs  under  the  Belgian  Govern¬ 
ment.  Missionaries  of  all  societies  take  a  hopeful  view  of  the  situation 
and  believe  that  the  bottom  has  been  reached;  that  the  country  will  see 
more  just  and  prosperous  times;  that  villages  will  gradually  build  up 
and  population  increase;  and  that  the  work  will  move  steadily  forward. 

The  Commission  recommends  that  all  talk  and  thought  of  wdth- 
drawal  from  the  Congo  be  abandoned.  A  good  work  has  been  done 
and  is  in  progress.  The  present  duty  is  to  conserve  and  develop  what 
we  have  and  reach  out  in  order  to  get  more.  The  staff  should  be  strength¬ 
ened  at  once  by  the  return  of  all  such  missionaries  as  are  now  home  on 
furlough,  provided  they  have  completed  the  usual  stay  allowed  and  are 
otherwise  fit  to  resume  their  labors;  and  a  sufficient  number  of  new  ap¬ 
pointees  should  be  sent  out  to  bring  the  force  up  to  the  required  strength. 
Experience  has  taught  the  mission  body  many  valuable  lessons  about 
how  to  maintain  health  in  this  very  trying  climate.  The  dangers,  still 
great,  are  not  as  formidable  as  they  once  were;  and  those  that  remain 
can  be  further  reduced  by  proving  a  better  staff  and  a  more  generous 
equipment  for  the  mission;  but  new  candidates  should  be  fully  informed 
concerning  the  risks  involved  in  appointment.  It  is  earnestly  hoped 

16 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


that  the  new  recruits  called  for  by  the  Conference  and  the  $10,000  needed 
to  provide  repairs  and  new  buildings  may  be  found  at  once,  and  that  the 
mission  thus  reinforced  may  be  supported  in  future  on  a  scale  commen¬ 
surate  with  the  needs  of  a  good  and  a  growing  work. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Especial  thanks  are  due  to  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  to  its 
missionaries  in  the  Congo,  and  to  Captain  and  Mrs.  A.  Stonelake  for  the 
use  of  the  Steamer  “Endeavour”  on  the  upper  river,  and  for  hospitalities 
at  stations  on  the  way;  to  the  Congo  Balolo  Mission  and  to  Captain  Mac¬ 
Donald  for  the  use  of  the  Steamer  “Livingstone”  and  for  other  courtesies; 
and  to  the  missionaries  of  the  Foreign  Christian  Missionary  Society,  at 
Bolenge,  the  Swedish  Missionary  Society’s  missionaries  at  Matadi  and 
Mukimbungu,  and  to  the  entire  body  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign 
Mission  Society’s  missionaries  for  entertainment  in  their  homes;  and 
to  all  others  who  in  any  way  or  degree  have  assisted  in  making  the  visit 
of  the  Commission  helpful  and  profitable. 


NORTHERN  NIGERIA 

Having  completed  our  investigations  in  the  Congo  field,  we  hastened 
without  delay  to  Nigeria.  Notwithstanding  the  difficulties  of  an  un¬ 
usual  route  and  the  unavoidable  exposure  in  the  modes  of  travel  which 
were  available,  we  were  able  to  proceed  rapidly.  In  this  way  we  saved 
much  time  in  comparison  with  the  original  estimate  for  this  part  of  the 
journey.  As  we  review  our  itinerary  we  are  grateful  that  in  both  Congo 
and  Nigeria,  where  transportation  facilities  are  so  limited,  we  were  able 
to  complete  our  tour  with  extraordinary  expedition  and  without  the 
omission  of  any  feature  which  seemed  essential  to  satisfactory  investi¬ 
gation  of  the  two  fields.  At  times  the  trying  climatic  conditions  ap¬ 
peared  to  threaten  both  our  health  and  our  further  progress,  and  some 
hardships  were  necessary  in  order  to  reach  the  sources  of  authentic  in¬ 
formation.  However,  we  regard  it  as  providential  that  no  member  of 
the  Commission  has  suffered  from  any  critical  illness  during  these  months 
of  itineration  in  the  tropics,  in  lands  where  travellers  are  notably  sub¬ 
ject  to  illness  and  serious  delay.  k  ^ 

Our  work  of  inquiry  with  reference  to  Northern  Nigeria,  begun 

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American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


in  London,  April  last,  when  we  had  interviews  with  representatives  of 
the  Church  Missionary  Society  and  the  Sudan  United  Mission,  has  con¬ 
tinued  to  the  moment  of  the  completion  of  this  report.  Upon  arrival 
in  Nigeria  we  found  missionaries,  government  officials,  traders,  native 
teachers,  transport  agents  and  others  ready  to  assist  us.  To  these  we 
are  indebted  for  much  information  which  could  not  have  been  obtained 
through  our  own  observation  alone.  In  all  Nigeria  we  conferred  with 
no  fewer  than  thirty-four  missionaries.  In  Northern  Nigeria  we  visited 
stations  of  all  the  societies  at  work  there,  save  one.  The  General  Secre¬ 
tary  of  that  society  had  given  us  his  views  in  a  conference  in  London, 
and  later  by  letter.  The  missionaries  with  whom  we  held  conference 
represented  every  general  section  of  the  jirotectorate  in  which  missions 
are  to  be  found.  Numerous  native  towns  and  villages  were  visited. 
Just  previous  to  our  arrival  the  meeting  of  the  Northern  Nigeria  Inter¬ 
denominational  Missionary  Conference  had  been  held  at  Lokoja.  Fortu¬ 
nately  we  had  access  to  the  proceedings  of  this  most  important  con¬ 
vention.  Plans  had  been  made  for  the  difficult  journey  to  Zungeru, 
the  seat  of  the  provincial  government,  which  had  been  rendered  quite 
inaccessible  by  the  storms  of  the  rainy  season.  We  could  not  dejiend 
upon  the  railroad,  whose  service  had  been  interrupted.  A  long  over¬ 
land  tramp  at  that  season  would  have  been  hazardous.  The  slow  ascent 
of  the  swollen  Kaduna  River  offered  the  easiest  and  safest  means  of  reach¬ 
ing  the  capital.  In  response  to  our  telegraphic  request  for  an  interview 
with  Ilis  Excellency  Sir  II.  Ileskith  H.  Bell,  Governor  of  Northern  Nigeria, 
the  Secretary  to  the  Administration  advised  us  that  the  governor  was 
in  another  part  of  the  protectorate  and  could  not  be  seen  by  us  for  some 
weeks.  Although  we  were  unable  to  interview  the  governor  personally, 
we  were  particularly  fortunate  in  securing  information  from  men  who 
had  just  seen  him.  To  these  men  the  governor  had  spoken  freely  regard¬ 
ing  the  missionary  situation  —  more  freely,  doubtless,  than  he  would 
have  spoken  to  a  visiting  commission.  The  information  in  the  possession 
of  these  friends  was  given  to  the  Commission.  Thus  the  same  end  was 
attained  with  a  saving  of  time  and  expense. 

POPULATION 

It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  accurately  the  population  of  Northern 
Nigeria.  In  some  sections  the  natives  are  so  ferocious  that  little  has 
been  learned  concerning  them.  In  other  sections  no  census  has  been 


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Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


taken.  Government  officials  offer  a  general  estimate  of  7,000,000.  But 
no  one  knows.  Ten  years  ago  the  estimate  was  20,000,000.  Every 
year  the  calculation  is  lower.  Recent  figures  for  the  fourteen  provinces, 
taken  from  an  official  report,  give  a  total  of  fewer  than  6,000,000.  The 
figures  by  provinces  for  area  and  population  are  as  follows : — 


Province 

Area 

Square  Miles 

Population 

Sokoto 

35,400 

600,000 

Kano 

28,600 

2,400,000 

Hornu 

32,800 

460,000 

Bauchi 

23,200 

709,100 

Zaria 

15,800 

179,000 

Nupe 

12,500 

226,800 

Kontagora  (Borgu  included) 

27,000 

75,500 

1  lorin 

6,300 

163,600 

Kabba 

7,800 

184,900 

Bassa 

7,000 

175,000 

Nassarawa 

17,900 

161,100 

Muri 

25,600 

548,000 

Vola 

15,800 

30,000 

Totals 

255,700 

5,913,000 

RACES 

The  principal  races  in  Northern  Nigeria  are  the  Hausa,  the  Fulani, 
the  Nupe,  the  Gwari,  the  Beriberi  and  the  Munchi.  Besides  these  peoples 
there  are  certainly  more  than  one  hundred  smaller  tribes. 

The  Hausas,  who  are  traders,  reside  chiefly  in  the  Northern  prov¬ 
inces,  though  they  travel  wherever  trade  is  possible.  They  constitute 
about  one-fourth  of  the  entire  population  of  the  protectorate  and  are 
solidly  Mohammedan. 

The  Fulani,  or  the  governing  tribe,  is  a  nomadic  race  and  is  widely 
scattered.  They  number  possibly  a  half-million  and  are  strongly  and 
solidly  Mohammedan. 

The  Nupes  live  in  the  southwestern  sections  and  are  estimated  at 
about  750,000.  Probably  nine-tenths  of  them  are  Mohammedans. 

The  Gwaris,  the  Beriberis  and  the  Munchis  are  mainly  pagan. 
The  Gwaris  occupy  contiguous  sections  of  Nassarawa,  Zaria  and  Nupe 
Provinces,  with  numbers  reaching  into  hundreds  of  thousands,  perhaps 
300,000  or  more.  The  Beriberis  are  in  the  northeastern  section,  and 
the  Munchis  in  the  southeastern.  Each  race  is  estimated  at  about  500,000 
— a  guess  at  best.  Much  of  their  territory  is  unexplored,  and  the  Munchis 
especially  are  far  from  being  pacified. 


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American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


MISSIONARY  BODIES  AT  WORK  IN  NORTHERN  NIGERIA 

The  Church  Missionary  Society,  nine  stations.  The  Sudan  Interior 
Mission,  four  stations.  The  Sudan  United  Mission,  ten  stations.  The 
Mennonite  United  Brethern  in  Christ  Foreign  Mission  Society,  two 
stations.  Total:  Four  societies,  with  twenty-five  stations,  excluding 
outposts. 


PROVINCES  OCCUPIED  BY  CHRISTIAN  MISSIONS 

The  Church  Missionary  Society  has  stations  as  follows:  Two  in 
Zaria  Province,  four  in  Nupe  Province,  two  in  Bauchi  Province  and  one 
in  Nassarawa  Province.  Sections  of  Bassa  and  Kabba  Provinces  are 
occupied  by  outposts.  New  work  is  in  contemplation  by  this  society  in 
the  Provinces  of  Kano  and  Ilorin  as  soon  as  the  government  will  allow 
missionary  work  in  certain  large  Mohammedan  centres. 

The  Sudan  United  Mission  has  the  following  stations:  Two  in 
Bauchi,  one  in  Yola,  six  in  Muri  and  one  in  Nassaraw'a.  Its  General 
Secretary  informed  the  Commission  that  the  society  is  looking  forward 
to  the  establishment  of  new  work  in  Nassarawa  and  Muri  Provinces. 

The  Sudan  Interior  Mission  has  stations  as  follows:  Two  in  Ilorin 
Province,  one  in  Nupe  Province  and  one  in  Zaria  Province.  New  work 
is  planned  for  Nassarawa  and  Bauchi  Province,  the  site  in  the  latter 
province  to  be  held  chiefly,  though  not  solely,  as  a  health  resort.  The 
Mennonite  United  Brethren  in  Christ  Foreign  Mission  Society  has 
two  stations  in  Ilorin  Province  and  hopes  to  open  work  in  Nupe 
Province. 


TERRITORY  COMMANDED  BY  STATIONS 

It  is  extremely  difficult  to  ascertain  just  how  much  territory  is  com¬ 
manded  by  the  twenty-five  stations.  The  greater  number  of  these  posts 
have  been  opened  within  the  last  five  years.  Missionaries  on  most  of 
the  fields  have  been  engaged  largely  with  language  work,  so  it  would 
appear  that  these  stations  have  not  yet  had  time  to  become  strong  evange- 
listie  centres,  sending  out  trained  teachers,  and  preachers.  Judging 
from  the  extent  of  the  territory  which  various  stations  in  Congo  regard 
as  their  own  rightful  fields,  we  believe  that  if  the  posts  already  opened 
should  develop  into  strong  centres  of  training,  and  if  the  fostering  societies 

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Repoet  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


should  be  able  to  realize  their  hopes  for  expansion,  the  greater  part  of 
the  territory  south  of  the  tenth  degree  of  north  latitude  would  be  well 
occupied  ultimately  by  the  mission  bodies  already  there.  How  far,  or 
how  speedily,  the  hopes  for  expansion  will  be  realized,  or  to  what  extent 
the  central  stations  will  be  enabled  to  establish  outposts,  only  the  future 
can  determine. 


APPARENT  RESULTS 

At  the  Lokoja  station  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  established 
in  a  pagan  field  in  1865,  the  results  have  been  large.  The  self-support¬ 
ing  church  of  255  members  is  also  maintaining  eight  outposts.  The 
remaining  eight  stations  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society  reported 
nineteen  native  Christians  in  1909. 

Another  society  began  work  at  its  first  station  in  1905,  and  at  a  second 
station  in  1909.  No  conversions  are  reported.  Both  stations  are  in 
Mohammedan  territory. 

A  third  society  feels  encouraged  at  an  awakening  in  a  pagan  tribe, 
which  resulted  in  thirteen  conversions.  Another  station  of  this  society, 
which  we  visited,  reports  one  conversion  in  five  years,  in  a  field  almost 
entirely  Mohammedan.  A  fourth  society,  with  a  number  of  stations, 
has  had  a  similar  history  with  reference  to  conversions.  Its  .stations 
are  in  fields  which  are  largely  pagan,  but  the  mission  is  as  yet  in  its  infancy. 

Excepting  three  or  four  stations,  the  results  have  been  very  meager. 
“I  have  worked  nine  years  and  have  seen  nothing,”  said  an  able  mis¬ 
sionary  to  the  Commission.  The  conditions  are  hard,  but  the  workers 
are  hopeful.  They  believe  the  leaven  is  working. 


THE  STRIKING  FACT 

The  conspicuous  fact  in  the  religious  situation  in  Northern  Nigeria 
is  the  Mohammedan  invasion.  The  Moslem  traders  find  the  country 
more  open  for  commerce  every  year,  and  as  they  go  they  preach  Islam. 
On  the  other  hand  the  Christian  missionary  is  hindered  by  reason  of  the 
policy  of  the  government  with  reference  to  Mohammedan  territory. 
Nevertheless  we  found  most  of  the  missionaries  devoted  and  hopeful. 
Although  the  general  results  have  been  small,  the  workers  believe  that 
after  seed  time  cometh  the  harvest,  and  not  one  seemed  willing:  to  leave 
his  task. 


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American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


THE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

As  might  have  been  expected,  moral  standards  are  low  among  both 
pagans  and  Mohammedans.  The  people  we  saw  in  villages  and  towns 
gave  evidence  of  only  very  slight  physical,  mental  or  industrial  superiority 
to  the  natives  of  Equatorial  Africa.  The  native  traders  from  the  Hausa 
states,  who  go  everywhere  in  the  pacified  sections,  are  fine  specimens 
of  physical  manhood  with  large,  erect  bodies,  strong  countenances, 
dignified  bearing  and  mental  alertness.  They  were  well  clothed  in 
Oriental  dress.  All  we  saw  confirmed  the  report  that  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Hausa  states  are  negroes  of  a  superior  type  to  those  in  the  Congo 
basin  or  those  on  the  sea  coasts. 

CLIMATE 

Excepting  the  highlands  of  Bauchi  Province,  which  are  quite  in¬ 
accessible  from  most  parts  of  the  protectorate,  the  climate  of  Northern 
Nigeria  is  deadly,  being  perhaps  only  slightly  better  in  this  respect  than 
the  Slave  Coast  immediately  to  the  south.  The  terms  of  service  for 
government  officials,  missionaries,  soldiers  and  traders  are  shorter  than 
in  the  Congo  territory,  which  indicates  that  the  climate  is  considered 
more  trying  for  white  men.  Many  are  “invalided  home”  every  year. 
Government  appointees  are  expected  to  serve  only  twelve  months  without 
returning  home.  Only  men  of  peculiar  physical  fitness  should  be  ap¬ 
pointed.  These  men  should  receive  liberal  support  and  provision  should 
be  made  for  frequent  furloughs. 

LANGUAGES 

As  many  as  sixty-seven  languages  are  said  to  be  spoken  in  a  single 
province  and  jiossibly  two  hundred  in  the  entire  protectorate.  Only 
one  of  these  had  been  reduced  to  writing  before  the  advent  of  the  white 
man.  xAmong  the  pagans  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  secure  a  language 
teacher.  Among  the  Mohammedans  two  languages  are  needed  by 
the  missionary  —  the  vernacular  and  Arabic,  the  latter  being  very  im¬ 
portant  in  meeting  the  Mohammedan  teachings. 

EXPENSE 

IMissions  in  Northern  Nigeria  are  expensive.  For  the  establish¬ 
ment  of  a  single  station  in  the  pagan  section  which  is  deemed  most  favor- 

22 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


able  to  occupation,  probably  $5,000  per  annum  would  be  required  to 
open  the  work  in  a  simple  manner,  without  allowance  for  permanent 
buildings.  This  estimate  provides  for  three  missionaries.  In  one 
Mohammedan  centre,  which  seems  to  be  the  most  strategic,  the  cost 
would  be  almost  twice  as  great  as  in  the  pagan  field,  and  only  'picked 
men  should  he  sent.  Transport  would  be  expensive  in  either  case,  espe¬ 
cially  to  the  Mohammedan  centre. 


SIZE  OF  THE  MOHAMMEDAN  POPULATION 

The  most  reliable  information  obtainable  indicates  that  three-fourths 
of  the  people  of  Northern  Nigeria  are  nominally  Mohammedan.  A 
brief  outline  of  the  history  of  the  introduction  of  Mohammedanism  is 
given  in  the  “Report  of  the  Northern  Nigeria  Lands  Committee,”  pre¬ 
sented  to  the  British  Parliament,  April,  1910,  and  is  as  follows; 


Mohamniedism  was  introduced  into  Northern  Nif^eria  by  two  stages.  The 
Hausas  and  Bornuese,  who,  though  tliey  were  not  tlie  aboriginal  inhabitants, 
established  themselves  in  parts  of  what  is  now  Northern  Nigeria  very  early  in 
history,  received  the  doctrine  of  Islam,  as  is  generally  believed,  during  the  tliirteenth 
century.  A  further  religious  movement  obtained  an  im|3etus  some  centuries 
later  from  the  race  known  as  the  Fulani,  whose  missionaries  entered  the  country 
in  considerable  numliers  from  the  north  and  northwest.  This  movement  con¬ 
tinued  until  it  culminated  at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  in  a  Holy 
ar,  the  result  of  which  was  to  jilace  under  Fulani  rule  the  territory  expending 
from  Kano  and  Sokoto  south  to  the  Rivers  Benue  and  Niger. 

The  proHnces  under  Mohammedan  rule  at  the  event  of  the  British  adminis¬ 
tration  were: 


Gando  (now  included  in  Sokoto) 
Sokoto 


Kano  (including  Katsena  and  Katagum) 

Kontagora 

Nupe 

Bauchi 

Zaria 

^’ola 

llorin 

IMuri 

Bornu 


> 


Under  Fulani 
rule. 


Of  the  provinces  grouped  together,  all  save  Yola,  llorin,  IMuri  and  Bauchi 
iK'longed  to  Ilausaland,  and  were  therefore  to  some  extent  IMohammedan  before 
the  Fulani  occupation.  Gando  became  one  of  the  great  .seats  of  the  Fulani  Emjiire, 
but  adjacent  to  it  is  the  independent  community  of  Argungu,  which  attained  a 
relatively  high  state  of  civilization  under  its  pagan  rulers.  Bauchi,  Yola,  and 
Muri  contain  a  large  pagan  population  under  Fulani  rulers,  and  also  large  pagan 
communities  independent  of  the  Fulani.  Yola  is  jxx'uliar  in  that  the  Fmir  has 
Ijeen  cut  off  by  the  Anglo-German  boundary  from  the  majority  of  his  Fulani  chiefs, 
and  is  left  almost  alone  with  a  large  unsubdued  pagan  population.  Bornu  suc- 

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American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


ceeded  in  resisting  Fidani  aggression,  and  the  larger  part  of  it  is  at  the  present 
day  ruled  by  a  Bornuese  Shehii  (or  Sultan).  The  remaining  provinces  of  Northern 
Nigeria,  viz.,  Borgu,  Kabba,  Bassa  and  Nassarawa,  are  all  pagan  in  various  stages 
of  development. 

An  outline  map  showing  the  disposition  of  the  various  provinces 
is  appended. 

Tlie  results  of  our  inquiry  confirm  the  above  classification  of  prov¬ 
inces  along  Mohammedan  and  pagan  lines.  However,  it  should  be  noted 
that  certain  provinces  under  Moslem  rule,  and  mainly  Mohammedan 
in  religion,  contain  small  tribes  which  remain  pagan.  On  the  other 
hand,  in  certain  small  provinces  which  are  mainly  pagan  there  are  sections 
which  have  embraced  Mohammedanism. 

Although  three  fourths  of  the  people  are  classified  as  Mohammedan, 
most  of  the  former  pagans  who  profess  to  have  been  converted  to  Islam 
have  embraced  the  name  and  forms  but  are  ignorant  of  the  principles. 
Many  declared  themselves  Mohammedans  to  escape  the  sword  in  the 
days  of  the  slave  raids  before  the  British  occupation  of  the  country.  At 
present  they  join  in  both  Moslem  and  pagan  feasts  and  ceremonies. 
They  would  not  be  recognized  as  good  Moslems  by  the  Mohammedans 
of  the  East.  The  Commission  met  an  educated  and  able  East  Indian, 
himself  a  Moslem,  who  is  now  employed  in  Northern  Nigeria  in  govern¬ 
ment  service.  Without  knowing  our  mission,  he  declared  that  the  people 
of  Northern  Nigeria  are  Mohammedans  in  name  only.  He  informed 
us  that  a  movement  is  under  way  in  India  to  send  missionaries  to  Nigeria 
for  the  purpose  of  indoctrinating  the  nominal  Mohammedans. 

PAGAN  POPULATION 

Perhaps  one  fourth  of  the  population  of  Northern  Nigeria  remains 
purely  pagan. 

MOHAMMEDAN  ANTAGONISM  TO  CHRISTIANITY 

The  Mohammedan  element  is  as  aggressively  antagonistic  to  Chris¬ 
tianity  as  it  dares  to  be.  Fear  of  the  British  Government  prevents  open 
violence.  The  opposition  at  present  is  secret.  The  leaders  are  alert  to 
block  the  plans  of  the  missionaries  and  turn  the  people  from  the  schools, 
dispensaries  and  gospel  messengers.  Medical  wmrk  is  almost  a  complete 
failure  at  Zaria,  where  the  physician  has  now  found  that  he  must  adopt 
other  methods  of  work.  While  the  opposition  at  present  is  secret,  itjs 

24 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


believed  that  but  for  fear  of  the  British  Government  no  Christian  con¬ 
vert,  missionary,  government  official  or  European  trader  would  be  safe 
in  a  Mohammedan  centre. 

EXTENSION  OF  MOHAMMEDAN  INFLUENCE 

Without  question  the  nominal  Mohammedans  have  increased  in 
numbers  quite  rapidly  within  recent  years,  and  there  is  promise  of  further 
increase.  While  the  name  has  been  widely  accepted,  the  people  in  gen¬ 
eral  hold  to  a  very  weak  form  of  the  faith.  Yet  there  is  a  strong  opinion 
that  though  Islam  may  mean  little  to  the  present  generation,  the  next 
generation  will  be  more  genuinely  Mohammedan  unless  the  movement 
is  checked.  The  inability  of  the  mission  schools  to  secure  the  attendance 
of  the  children  of  Mohammedan  parents  makes  the  task  of  checking  the 
movement  very  difficult.  In  some  pagan  sections  mosques  may  be 
found  in  almost  every  village.  Ex-slave  raiders  (iVIohammedans)  are 
made  head  men  in  securing  laborers  for  railroad  construction,  as  consola¬ 
tion  for  the  loss  of  their  prestige  under  the  old  regime.  IVIany  govern¬ 
ment  positions  are  filled  by  Moslems.  All  this  tends  to  give  influence 
to  Islam.  The  Hausas  are  traders,  and  every  Ilausa  trader  is  a  mission¬ 
ary.  The  pacification  of  the  country  makes  it  possible  for  these  traders 
to  go  where  they  dared  not  enter  a  few  years  ago.  However,  it  should 
be  noted  that  Mohammedan  advance  is  more  marked  just  now  in  South¬ 
ern  Nigeria  than  in  the  more  northern  jirotectorate. 


THE  GOVERNMENT’S  POLICY  FOR  MOHAMMEDAN  TERRITORY 

By  reason  of  the  attitude  of  the  government  the  unoccupied  Moham¬ 
medan  territory  appears  to  be  closed  for  the  present.  The  policy  of  the 
government  is  expressed  in  paragraphs  quoted  herewith  which  were 
taken  from  the  Report  on  Northern  Nigeria,  Annual  Colonial  Reports 
No.  594,  presented  to  the  British  Parliament,  February,  1909,  by  his 
Excellency  Sir  E.  P.  C.  Girouard,  at  that  time  governor  of  the  protectorate 
of  Northern  Nigeria.  To  apjireciate  the  position  of  the  British  Govern¬ 
ment  one  needs  to  know  that  the  policy  of  the  provincial  staff  in  Northern 
Nigeria  is  that  of  indirect  administration,  conducted  by  native  rulers 
under  the  advice  of  British  authorities  and  as  far  as  possible  “in  strict 
accordance  with  native  law,  custom  and  tradition.”  As  evidence  of  this 
statement  we  quote: 


25 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


The  Policy  of  tlie  Provincial  Staff,  in  practice  as  well  as  in  theory,  has  been 
that  of  strict  adherence  to  the  principle  of  indirect  administration.  The  civil 
administration  of  the  Province,  its  policy,  judiciary,  and  tax  collection,  are  con¬ 
ducted  by  the  native  riders  acting  on  and  with  the  advice  of  the  British  Political 
Staff,  in  .strict  accordance  with  native  law.  custom  and  tradition,  in  so  far  as  such 
law,  custom  or  tradition  is  not  subversive  of  the  principles  of  equity  and  good 
government;  to  this  policy,  adhered  to  unswervingly  from  the  inauguration  of  the 
Province,  and  especially  observed  after  the  suppression  of  the  regrettable  outbreak 
at  Satiru  in  1906,  is  ])robably  due  the  present  satisfactory  attitude  of  the  three  Emirs 
who  rule  the  Province. — I’age  3+. 

The  government  has  seemed  to  find  it  necessary  to  move  most  cau¬ 
tiously  in  all  matters  which  pertain  to  the  religious  life  of  its  Mohammedan 
subjects,  whom  they  found  in  Northern  Nigeria  upon  the  establishment 
of  the  protectorate  in  the  year  1900,  lest  there  be  an  outbreak  of  fanaticism 
resulting  in  bloodshed,  and  in  the  end  necessitating  a  punitive  expedition. 
In  the  judgment  of  the  administration  it  seemed  advisable  to  make  certain 
promises  to  the  Mohammedans.  Reference  is  made  to  such  promises 
on  page  70  of  the  report  mentioned  above. 

Ill  the  IMohammedaii  States,  following  Lord  Cromer’s  policy  for  the  Sudan, 
it  apjiears  advdsable  to  educate  Mohammedans  along  their  own  lines,  and  com- 
puLsory  attendance  at  a  Christian  school  is  inconceivable,  and  might  prove  dis¬ 
astrous.  It  is,  moreover,  in  opposition  to  the  promises  of  my  predecessor. 

In  view  of  the  attitude  of  the  government  to  Christian  missions 
in  Mohammedan  centres,  naturally  a  question  arises  as  to  how  permis¬ 
sion  was  secured  to  enter  several  Moslem  cities  which  are  now  occupied, 
and  where  a  form  of  work  is  being  done  under  very  definite  restrictions. 
In  every  case  permission  was  given  from  four  to  nine  years  ago,  before 
the  government  had  taken  such  a  strong  position  for  those  particular 
localities.  Even  then  the  opening  was  secured  through  the  personal 
influence  of  some  missionary  of  special  influence  and  fitness,  or  through 
the  favorable  attitude  of  the  local  resident  at  the  time.  The  residents 
are  changed  very  frequently.  A  resident  favorable  to  missions  may  be 
succeeded  by  one  of  opposite  views.  Moreover  it  should  be  said  that 
most  of  the  fields  in  which  work  for  Mohammedans  is  now  being  done 
are  so  situated  that  they  are  more  easily  under  the  control  of  the  govern¬ 
ment  forces  than  the  great  centres  of  population  to  the  north. 

The  Church  Missionary  Society  has  been  granted  leave  for  some 
of  its  men  to  visit  Kano,  the  great  walled  city  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
protectorate,  for  a  brief  period  It  would  appear  that  this  visit  is  largely 
to  test  the  temper  of  the  people.  The  missionaries  have  good  reason 
to  hope  that  upon  the  completion  of  the  railroad  as  far  as  Kano  they  will 
be  allowed  to  reside  there.  The  completion  of  the  railroad  should  enable 

26 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


the  government  more  readily  to  command  the  situation  in  the  Province 
of  Kano.  While  missionaries  would  go  willingly  without  government 
protection,  one  hears  it  said  in  defense  of  the  policy  of  the  administration 
that  the  government  is  unwilling  for  the  missionaries  to  reside  where 
there  is  danger  of  serious  friction  until  such  localities  are  rendered  more 
accessible,  and  consequently  more  sure  of  peace  and  order. 

Lady  Lugard  in  her  book  “A  Tropical  Dependency,”  page  45^, 
makes  reference  to  the  promise  which  was  given  by  her  husband.  Sir 
Frederick  Lugard,  wLo  was  high  commissioner  of  Northern  Nigeria 
in  the  early  days  of  the  protectorate.  She  quotes  a  part  of  the  high 
commissioner’s  address  delivered  just  previous  to  the  installation  of  the 
new  Emir  of  Sokoto,  immediately  after  the  surrender  of  that  city  to  the 
British  forces:  “The  government  will  in  no  way  interfere  with  the  Moham¬ 
medan  religion.  All  men  are  free  to  worship  God  as  they  please. 
Mosques  and  prayer-places  will  be  treated  with  respect  by  us.”  The 
delicacy  of  the  situation  at  that  time  is  reflected  in  the  oath  of  office  for 
Moslem:  “I  swear  in  the  name  of  Allah  and  of  Mohammed  his  prophet 
to  serve  well  and  truly  His  Majesty  King  Edward  VIT,  and  his  repre¬ 
sentative,  the  High  Commissioner  of  Northern  Nigeria,  and  to  obey 
the  laws  of  the  Protectorate  and  the  lawful  commands  of  the  High  Com¬ 
missioner  and  of  the  Resident,  provided  they  are  not  contrary  to  my 
religion.”  (From  “A  Tropical  Dependency.”)  It  was  understood  that 
the  Moslem  official  should  promptly  make  known  any  objection  to  the 
plans  of  the  British  Government.  This  he  swore  to  do. 

The  government  seems  favorable  to  missions  among  pagans,  espe¬ 
cially  to  industrial  stations;  but,  judging  from  the  experience  of  others, 
it  would  appear  impossible  at  the  present  time  for  missionaries  to  secure 
the  permission  of  the  government  to  begin  aggressive  Christian  work 
in  Moslem  centers.  The  policy  of  the  government  is  expressed  in  the 
following  paragraph  from  the  report  mentioned  heretofore: 

Several  missionary  bodies  and  societies  have  established  centres  in  the  Pro¬ 
tectorate.  Though  tlieir  assistance  is  welcomed  in  the  pagan  provinces,  more 
particularly  when  their  efforts  are  devoted  to  utilitarian  objects,  it  has  not  been 
found  possible,  in  the  present  state  of  the  country,  to  encourage  advances  in  the 
Mohammedan  States.  In  this  regard,  the  policy  of  my  jrredecessor  and  myself 
is  identical  with  that  adopted  with  the  full  concun-ence  of  the  Home  authorities 
by  Lord  Cromer  in  the  Sudan  under  almost  similar  circumstances.  The  latter 
policy  is  outlined  in  Lord  Cromer’s  report  upon  the  Sudan  for  the  year  1905,  and 
is,  I  understand,  still  adhered  to. — Page  9. 

That  this  policy  is  being  continued  is  indicated  by  the  brief  exjiression 
found  in^the  most  recent  Northern  Nigeria  report  presented  by  the  acting- 

27 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


governor  of  the  protectorate  to  the  British  Parliament,  March,  1910: 
“The  various  missionary  societies  report  good  progress  in  their  mission 
schools.  The  lines  on  which  these  schools  would  be  welcomed  were 
pointed  out  last  year.” 

Not  only  does  it  appear  certain  that  Mohammedan  centres  are  closed 
for  the  present,  but  it  is  also  clear  that  the  government  would  welcome 
the  withdrawal  of  Christian  missions  from  some  Mohammedan  fields 
which  they  were  allowed  to  enter  a  few  years  ago.  The  missionaries  at 
work  in  Nigeria  are  protesting  most  vigorously  against  the  attitude  of 
the  government  with  reference  to  IVIoslem  fields.  The  following  reso¬ 
lutions  were  copied  from  the  proceedings  of  the  Interdenominational 
Missionary  Conference  held  at  Lakoja,  July  last: 

Tliat,  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  religious  toleration,  this  Conference 
respectfully  maintains  that  the  people  of  a  country  possess  an  inalienable  right 
to  choose  their  own  religious  teaching,  and  that  the  Christian  missionary  is  free 
courteously  and  peacefully  to  present  the  claims  of  his  faith  wherever  people  are 
willing  to  listen,  whether  in  Mohammedan  or  heathen  districts. 

That,  while  this  Conference  loyally  recognizes  the  responsibility  of  the  govern¬ 
ment  for  the  maintenance  of  peace  and  order  in  the  protectorate,  they  are  unable 
to  recognize  restrictions  placed  upon  the  work  of  Christian  missions  which  are 
based  on  any  other  principle.  Moreover  they  respectfully  urge  that  in  some  cases 
an  unfair  use  of  this  plea  of  the  need  for  the  maintenance  of  peace  and  order  has 
been  made  in  order  to  keep  missions  out  of  certain  districts. 

That  tliis  Conference  does  not  consider  that  the  pledge  of  non-interference 
with  religion  given  by  the  government  to  IMohammedan  rulers  is  in  any  way 
violated  by  the  presence  of  Christian  missionaries,  peacefully  and  tactfully  setting 
forth  the  claims  of  their  faith ;  and  they  consider  that  sufficient  proof  has  already 
been  given  that  the  peaceful  propagation  of  the  gospel  in  Mohsmmedan  centres, 
such  as  Zaria,  Bida,  Wushishi,  and  Shonga  has  aided  rather  than  hindered  in  the 
promotion  of  good  relations  between  the  government  and  the  people  of  those 
cities. 

That  the  present  system  of  short  leases,  some  for  only  three  years,  militates 
against  the  due  development  of  mission  properties  and  the  erection  of  permanent 
buildings.  The  Conference  respectfully  asks  that  the  period  of  the  lease  be  ex¬ 
tended  to  21  years  as  soon  as  practicable.  ^ 

hlissionaries  who  are  looking  longingly  in  the  direction  of  Moham¬ 
medan  strongholds  believe  it  is  best  to  await  developments,  and  they 
are  very  hopeful  that  the  opening  will  come  for  them  in  the  near  future. 


THE  GOVERNMENT’S  POLICY  IN  SECTIONS  ONLY  PARTLY 

MOHAMMEDAN 

Where  the  Mohammedan  element  is  very  strong  the  Christian  mis¬ 
sionary  is  allowed  only  under  certain  restrictions.  A  case  in  point  is 
the  City  of  Ilorin,  in  the  Province  of  Ilorin,  where  Mohammedans  pre¬ 
dominate.  The  Church  Missionary  Society  has  tried  earnestly  to  begin 

28 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


work  there.  It  has  been  informed  that  missionaries  may  be  sent  to 
live  outside  the  city.  They  may  do  personal  work,  hold  meetings  in 
homes  if  invited  to  do  so,  or  they  may  conduct  services  on  the  mission 
compound,  which  would  be  perhaps  a  mile  from  the  city.  The  restric¬ 
tions  as  to  the  methods  of  evangelistic  work  apply  to  all  districts  where 
Islam  is  dominant.  The  matter  of  securing  permission  to  reside  in 
any  particular  section  for  the  purpose  of  doing  missionary  work  rests 
largely  with  the  resident  for  that  section,  and  such  restrictions  are  im¬ 
posed  as  may  seem  best  to  him.  It  appears  that  the  first  thought  with 
the  government  officials  is  the  complete  pacification  of  the  country.  Sup¬ 
posedly  they  give  freedom  where  there  is  little  danger  of  friction,  and  im¬ 
pose  restrictions  where  aggressive  work  by  a  Christian  missionary  would 
prove  to  be  a  serious  irritant,  as  has  been  indicated  already.  Christian 
workers  in  Northern  Nigeria  believe  that  too  often  the  plea  for  peace 
and  order  has  been  merely  an  excuse  on  the  part  of  residents  to  keep 
missions  out  of  certain  districts. 

Recently  it  was  suggested  to  the  missionaries  in  Zaria  that  they 
take  up  their  residence  outside  the  city.  It  was  replied  that  such  a  step 
was  altogether  impossible  if  any  good  results  were  to  be  expected  from 
the  work  of  the  missionaries. 

ALLOTMENT  OF  TERRITORY  TO  MISSION  BODIES 

The  practise  of  allotment  and  definition  of  territory  by  the  govern¬ 
ment  does  not  prevail  in  Northern  Nigeria.  So  long  as  the  work  is  con¬ 
fined  to  the  pagans  the  administration  is  content  to  allow  the  several 
missionary  societies  in  Northern  Nigeria  to  agree  among  themselves  as  to 
the  boundaries  of  their  fields.  Presumably  the  same  policy  would  hold 
in  the  Mohammedan  sections  if  the  government  favored  work  for  Moslems. 

“Why  not  go  to  the  pagans?”  is  the  reply  the  missionary  is  most 
likely  to  hear  when  he  asks  permission  to  enter  Mohammedan  territory. 
In  this  connection  an  extract  from  the  governor’s  report  presented  to  the 
British  Parliament,  February  1909,  is  interesting: 

The  Church  ^Missionary  Society’s  school  at  Kuta,  in  the  Gwari  (pagan)  country. 
IS  making  fair  progress,  on  industrial  as  well  as  other  lines.  It  is  most  desirable 
that  the  Toronto  Industrial  Mission,  now  making  little  or  no  headway  at  Wushishi 
— originally  a  war  and  slave-raiding  camp  and  a  most  unsuitable  site  for  a  mission — 
should  move  to  some  pagan  centre,  where  they  would  probably  meet  with  success 
similar  to  that  of  the  Church  ^Missionary  Society  at  Kuta. — Page  48. 

We  were  told  that  even  if  the  government  were  disposed  to  allow 
a  mission  body  to  enter  the  Mohammedan  field  the  officials  would  need 

29 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


to  be  satisfied  as  to  the  character  of  the  work  in  view,  and  the  fitness  of 
each  individual  missionary  for  his  task,  with  special  emphasis  on  the 
latter  point. 

THE  PRESENT  TIME  UNFAVORABLE  FOR  ENTRANCE  INTO 
NORTHERN  NIGERIA,  WITH  A  VIEW  TO  WORK 
FOR  THE  MOHAMMEDAN  POPULATION 

We  do  not  regard  the  present  time  particularly  favorable  for  en¬ 
trance  into  Northern  Nigeria  with  a  view  to  active  effort  to  reach  the 
Mohammedans.  Entrance  into  a  strategic  Mohammedan  centre  is 
practically  forbidden  by  the  government.  There  is  reason  to  hope  that 
the  attitude  of  the  provincial  administration  will  be  more  liberal  in  the 
near  future.  In  the  judgment  of  your  Commission,  the  permission  of 
the  government  to  enter  the  Mohammedan  stronghold  can  be  secured 
most  easily  by  those  who  are  already  on  the  field  and  are  in  close  and 
friendly  relations  with  the  government.  If  these  friends  succeed  in  their 
plan  a  point  of  large  importance  will  have  been  gained  for  all  mission¬ 
ary  societies.  British  societies  already  at  work  in  Northern  Nigeria  are 
in  a  position  to  lead  most  effectively  in  the  movement  to  secure  open 
doors,  and  there  is  large  possibility  that  an  attempt  on  the  part  of  a  foreign 
society  to  force  the  issue  at  this  juncture  might  delay  matters  rather  than 
hasten  the  day  of  larger  opportunity  for  which  heroic  men  and  women 
are  working  and  praying.  We  have  been  profoundly  impressed  with  the 
broad  Christian  spirit  of  men  at  work  in  Nigeria,  and  we  are  confident 
that  any  advantage  gained  through  their  efforts  will  be  shared  generously 
in  the  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  God.  Exceptionally  wise  and  tactful 
men  are  now  endeavoring  to  lead  the  government  to  a  different  policy. 
Should  they  succeed,  our  society  would  be  given  a  hearty  welcome  to 
the  great  field  under  consideration.  H 

PROSPECT  OF  WORK  LIMITED  TO  PAGAN  FIELDS 

There  is  opportunity  for  a  large  work  in  at  least  one  pagan  section 
where  conditions  invite  effort  on  the  part  of  some  society.  This  society 
should  be  prepared  to  furnish  men  of  ability,  give  adequate  support, 
and  be  content  to  wait  for  results.  The  opportunity  we  have  in  mind  is 
among  the  Gwari  people,  who  occupy  contiguous  sections  of  the  Nupe, 
Zaria  and  Nassarawa  Provinces,  and  who  in  population  reach  into  hun¬ 
dreds  of  thousands. 

Borgu  is  a  pagan  province,  but  the  population,  already  small,  is 
decreasing.  The  British  Government  looks  upon  it  as  an  unpromising 
section  and  administers  it  as  a  part  of  the  Kontagora  Province. 

30 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


The  Miinchi  people,  occupying  the  eastern  section  of  Bassa  Province 
and  the  western  section  of  Muri  Province,  number  perhaps  250,000  and 
are  without  missionaries.  The  people  of  the  western  section  of  the 
tribe  are  not  yet  pacified,  and  very  little  is  known  about  them.  In  the 
eastern  section  the  Sudan  United  Mission  is  hoping  to  establish  two 
central  stations.  The  points  in  view  were  designated  to  the  Commission 
by  the  general  secretary  of  this  society. 

In  Bauchi  Province  there  are  large  pagan  communities,  though 
the  population  in  general  is  so  strongly  under  Moslem  rule  as  to  cause 
the  British  Government  to  place  Bauchi  in  the  column  of  Mohammedan 
provinces.  We  learned  that  there  are  as  many  as  sixty -seven  tribes, 
most  of  which  are  small.  There  is  no  written  language  among  any  of 
these  pagan  peoples,  whose  tongues  are  entirely  dissimilar.  The  pagan 
fields  in  Bauchi,  which  appear  to  offer  the  largest  opportunity  at  present, 
have  been  entered  already  by  the  Church  Missionary  Society  and  the 
Sudan  United  Mission.  Missionaries  of  these  societies  are  now  engaged 
with  the  problem  of  language.  Except  in  sections  which  have  been 
entered  by  others  we  are  not  informed  of  any  pagan  field  in  Bauchi  which 
is  open  to  occupation  and  which  offers  a  very  large  population.  In  this 
connection  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  Northern  Nigeria  Interdenomina¬ 
tional  Missionary  Conference  is  of  interest: 

That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Conference,  it  is  not  advisable,  save  under  excep¬ 
tional  circumstances,  to  undertake  work  with  a  view  to  the  translation  of  the  Scrij)- 
tures  amongst  a  tribe  wliich  dot^s  not  exceed  a  population  of  50,000. 

Very  little  is  known  of  unoccupied  pagan  sections  to  the  far  eastern 
parts  of  the  Provinces  of  Yola  and  Bornu.  Moreover,  the  cost  of  trans¬ 
port  has  prohibited  effort  there  on  the  part  of  other  societies. 

The  four  sections  mentioned  above  appear  to  be  the  only  unoc¬ 
cupied  pagan  fields  where  large  expansion  would  be  possible  in  coming 
years  without  reaching  into  territory  which  other  missions  may  rightfully 
regard  as  their  own  fields  for  enlargement. 

W  e  see  no  reason  why  work  in  one  or  more  of  these  sections  should 
not  be  effective,  though  the  conditions  which  obtain  and  the  experience 
of  other  mission  bodies  in  pagan  fields  of  the  protectorate  lead  us  to  the 
opinion  that  a  long  period  of  foundation  work  would  be  necessary. 

THE  RECOMMENDATION 

For  the  sake  of  clearness  we  quote  just  here  three  questions  which 
were  given  to  the  Commission.  Following  each  question  is  our  brief 

31 


American  Baptist  F'oreign  Mission  Society 


answer.  The  grounds  upon  which  our  recommendation  is  made  will 
be  set  forth  in  later  paragraphs. 

Questioyi:  “In  your  judgment  are  the  present  crisis  and  opportunity 
in  this  field  such  that  you  w'ould  recommend  the  society  to  establish  work 
here  at  the  present  time.?” 

Answer:  They  are  not.  While  we  recognize  that  there  are  large 
opportunities  for  work  in  Northern  Nigeria,  and  that  need  always  con¬ 
stitutes  a  crisis,  yet  in  the  light  of  all  the  information  we  have  obtained 
we  are  not  of  the  opinion  that  our  society  should  enter  this  field  at  the 
present  time. 

Question:  “Would  you  recommend  this  [establishment  of  work  in 
Northern  Nigeria]  if  it  should  prove  to  be  possible  only  by  discontinuance 
or  restriction  of  work  in  the  Congo  field  ?  ” 

Ansxver:  We  do  not  believe  that  Northern  Nigeria  has  any  field 
to  offer  which  we  should  enter  at  the  cost  of  discontinuance  or  restriction 
of  the  work  in  the  Congo. 

Question:  “Would  you  favor  this  course  [a  new  mission  in  Nigeria] 
in  case  it  were  to  involve  continued  or  increased  embarrassmnet  to  the 
work  now  conducted  by  the  society  in  other  fields.?” 

Ansiver:  By  no  means. 

In  recommending  to  the  Board  of  Managers  of  our  society  that 
work  should  not  be  undertaken  in  Northern  Nigeria  at  the  present  time 
we  are  far  from  being  unmindful  of  the  great  need  of  larger  missionary 
effort  in  that  part  of  Africa.  As  has  been  indicated,  there  is  at  least  one 
large,  unoccupied  pagan  section  already  pacified  and  favorable  for  oc¬ 
cupation,  which  we  might  enter  without  involving  ourselves  in  unfraternal 
relations  with  other  societies,  if  we  are  prepared  to  furnish  suitable  men 
and  adequate  support,  with  no  consequent  neglect  to  other  fields,  and  if 
we  have  faith  and  ability  to  continue  large  investments  of  life  and  money 
during  the  apparently  fruitless  years  of  cultivation  which  must  precede  a 
harvest . 

Then  there  are  large,  thickly  populated  Mohammedan  provinces 
which  are  absolutely  untouched  by  Christian  missions. 

If  there  were  not  other  questions  to  be  considered  besides  the  need 
of  more  missionaries  in  Northern  Nigeria,  we  should  be  obliged  to  recom¬ 
mend  that  our  society  enter  that  field  at  once,  but  the  Commission  has 
been  compelled  to  bear  in  mind  other  questions  as  well.  From  the 
resolutions  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Managers  of  our  society,  December 

32 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


2,  1909,  calling  for  the  appointment  of  this  Commission,  we  understand 
that  the  desire  to  open  a  new  mission  in  Northern  Nigeria  was  prompted 
by  two  considerations:  First,  the  relation  of  Northern  Nigeria  to  the 
Sudan,  which  “presents  the  largest  unevangelized  section  of  the  world 
to-day.”  Second,  the  conviction  that  “our  general  policy  in  Africa 
should  be  the  assumption  of  larger  responsibility  for  its  needs.”  With 
reference  to  the  first  consideration,  namely,  the  relation  of  Northern 
Nigeria  to  the  Sudan,  the  cardinal  fact  is  this :  the  problem  of  the  Sudan 
is  first  and  last  the  problem  of  Mohammedanism.  Islam  is  in  the  as¬ 
cendancy  in  that  part  of  Africa.  The  Sudan  is  not  merely  “in  especial 
danger  of  being  occupied  by  Mohammedanism.”  Already  it  is  recog¬ 
nized  as  Mohammedan,  whatever  may  be  said  of  the  type  of  Moham¬ 
medanism  that  prevails  or  the  spots  here  and  there  which  are  pagan. 
Therefore  any  movement  which  is  planned  for  the  redemption  of  the 
Sudan  must  deal  ultimately  with  Islam.  In  our  opinion,  which  is  con¬ 
firmed  by  the  views  of  men  of  experience  in  Nigeria,  effective  work  with 
reference  to  the  problem  of  the  Sudan  must  be  done  in  the  midst  of  a 
Moslem  population,  and  preferably  in  the  large  centres,  but  this  is  prac¬ 
tically  forbidden  for  the  present  by  the  attitude  of  the  British  Government. 

We  are  aware  that  with  the  nature  of  the  Sudan  problem  in  mind 
it  has  been  urged  that  if  the  Moslem  districts  are  closed  to  us  our  society 
should  begin  work  among  pagans  with  a  view  to  reaching  out  to  the 
Mohammedans.  We  believe  that  such  a  plan  is  most  impracticable, 
and,  in  the  opinion  of  men  on  the  field,  is  most  certain  to  result  in  failure 
to  affect  the  general  situation  in  the  Sudan.  It  is  hardly  possible  to 
establish  a  work  among  inferior  pagans  which  would  prove  to  be  a  base 
for  work  with  the  superior  Mohammedans.  We  are  very  strongly  of 
the  opinion  that  while  certain  pagan  fields  in  themselves  offer  sufiicient 
inducement  for  earnest  effort,  they  are  not  to  be  considered  as  starting 
points  in  a  campaign  to  check  Mohammedanism.  The  foundation  work 
in  one  case  would  be  no  preparation  for  the  other. 

We  are  aware  also  that  our  society  is  urged  to  occupy  pagan  fields 
in  order  to  check  the  movement  of  Mohammedanism  itself.  Should 
this  policy  be  deemed  expedient  we  doubt  whether  Nigeria  at  present 
offers  the  most  strategic  point  for  the  work  of  another  society.  Dr.  H. 
Karl  W.  Kumm,  General  Secretary  of  the  Sudan  United  Mission,  has 
recently  completed  a  journey  of  fifteen  months’  duration  through  the 
Sudan,  from  the  Niger  to  the  Nile.  Dr.  Kumm  was  emphatic  in  his 
advice  that  any  society  wishing  to  enter  the  Sudan  and  occupy  the  most 

33 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


strategic  unoccupied  situation  at  present  should  not  turn  to  Nigeria. 
He  believes  that  the  next  field  which  should  be  occupied  is  in  the  valley 
of  the  Shari  River,  southeast  of  Lake  Chad  and  several  hundred  miles 
to  the  east  of  Northern  Nigeria.  He  describes  this  section  as  compara¬ 
tively  healthful.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  Mohammedanism  follows  the 
avenues  of  trade  and  travel,  and  considering  that  the  section  which  Dr. 
Kumm  indicates  is  on  the  line  of  travel  that  the  French  have  opened 
from  the  Lake  Chad  region  to  the  sea  by  way  of  the  Shari,  Ubangi  and 
Congo  rivers,  there  appears  to  be  good  reason  for  his  contention  that 
the  unoccupied  position  of  greatest  strategic  importance  in  checking 
the  spread  of  Mohammedanism  in  Central  Africa  is  to  the  east  of  Nigeria. 

With  reference  to  the  second  consideration  leading  to  the  appoint¬ 
ment  of  this  Commission,  namely,  the  conviction  that  “our  general  policy 
in  Africa  should  be  the  assumption  of  larger  responsibility  for  its  needs,” 
we  are  aware  that  a  part  of  this  larger  responsibility  might  be  met  in 
a  new  work  for  the  pagans  of  Northern  Nigeria.  We  have  indicated  that 
there  is  at  least  one  large  pagan  tribe  in  Northern  Nigeria,  pacified  and 
open  to  Christian  missions,  whose  numbers  are  easily  sufficient  to  justify 
another  mission  exclusively  for  them.  At  present  only  two  stations  are 
found  among  these  people,  which  are  on  the  western  border  of  their 
territory.  But  if  the  assumption  of  larger  responsibility  for  the  needs 
of  Africa  is  to  consist  in  more  extensive  effort  for  the  pagans,  we  believe 
this  effort  can  be  made  by  our  society  more  successfully  in  the  Congo 
than  in  Northern  Nigeria.  While  the  population  is  somewhat  denser 
in  the  smaller  area  of  the  latter  territory,  the  total  pagan  population 
of  Congo  Beige  is  several  times  larger  than  the  pagan  population  of 
Northern  Nigeria.  There  seems  to  be  no  need  among  the  pagans  in 
Northern  Nigeria  which  cannot  be  duplicated  in  the  Congo.  Indeed, 
there  are  areas  adjacent  to  some,  of  our  own  stations  in  the  Congo  which 
are  unoccupied  by  evangelical  missions,  though  they  are  several  times 
larger  than  any  unoccupied  pagan  field  in  Northern  Nigeria,  and  with 
population  of  inviting  density. 

Moreover,  any  one  or  several  sueh  areas  in  Congo  Beige  is  as  large 
as  that  section  of  pagan  territory  in  the  southern  part  of  Northern  Nigeria 
which  is  occupied  at  present  by  sixteen  mission  stations  and  not  one  of 
them  crowding  another.  Such  areas  are  to  be  found  immediately  to^the 
southeast  of  our  Ikoko  field  and  to  the  northeast  of  our  new  Kwango 
work  (Cuillo  station,  established  by  Dr.  Leslie).  It  is  the  opinion  of 
our  workers  in  the  Congo,  as  well  as  the  opinion  of  your  Commission,^that 

34 


Report  of  Congo-Sudan  Commission 


either  of  these  unoccupied  areas  presents  a  large  opportunity  for  expansion. 

In  these  circumstances  we  see  no  reason  to  open  any  mission  in 
Northern  Nigeria  for  the  sake  of  finding  work  among  pagans,  when  the 
possibilities  for  the  expansion  of  our  mission  in  the  Congo  seem  almost 
limitless  under  normal  political  conditions.  Especially  should  we  advise 
against  opening  any  new  work  for  pagans  if  the  new  mission  should 
mean  restriction  of  our  present  work  for  the  pagans  of  the  Congo. 

We  have  discovered  no  great  natural  superiority  in  the  Nigerian 
pagan  as  compared  with  the  Congo  pagan.  We  are  firmly  convinced 
that  the  opening  of  a  new  mission  for  pagans  in  Northern  Nigeria  at 
the  expense  of  the  Congo  Mission  would  mean  the  sacrifice  of  the  larger 
opportunity  for  the  smaller.  Many  years  have  been  given  to  laying 
the  foundations  in  our  African  fields.  These  foundations  have  been 
laid  at  immense  cost  in  human  life,  not  to  mention  other  investments. 
Churches  have  been  organized,  languages  have  been  learned  and  reduced 
to  writing.  The  Scriptures  have  been  translated.  Hymn  books  and 
numerous  other  volumes  have  been  prepared,  including  text  books  for 
the  schools.  Teachers  have  been"  trained.  Native  evangelists  are  at 
work.  An  educational  system  is  being  planned.  Having  laid  these 
foundations,  we  should  regard  it  as  most  unwise  to  go  to  a  new  pagan  field 
where  all  this  must  be  done  over  again,  if  the  going  means  restriction  of 
the  Congo  work.  So  far  as  we  can  see  our  largest  opportunity  for  render¬ 
ing  service  to  the  pagans  of  Africa  lies  in  the  strengthening  of  our  lines 
in  the  Congo.  Until  that  can  be  done  we  believe  it  is  unwise  to  open 
a  mission  in  Northern  Nigeria.  It  is  a  time  of  crisis  in  our  Congo  mission. 
We  are  in  serious  danger  of  losing  much  if  we  do  not  take  steps  promptly 
to  conserve  what  has  been  gained.  j 

As  a  denomination  we  have  a  peculiar  responsibility  and  a  corre- 
ponding  opportunity  in  Congo  Beige.  Above  Boma,  fifty  miles  from  the 
sea  coast,  all  the  evangelical  societies  at  work  on  the  great  Congo  River 
are  immersionist  bodies. 

All  things  considered,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  we  can  more  suc¬ 
cessfully  assume  larger  responsibility  for  the  needs  of  Africa  by  the  ex¬ 
pansion  of  our  present  work  in  the  Congo  than  by  opening  a  new  mission 
in  Northern  Nigeria.  j 

In  closing  these  reports  we  wish  to  record  our  appreciation  of 
the  services  which  Rev.  Joseph  Clark  rendered  the  Commisson. 
Without  him  such  a  journey  as  we  made  would  have  been  exceedingly 
dangerous,  if  not  impossible.  No  man  living  is  more  widely  known  or 

35 


American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


more  highly  esteemed  on  the  Congo  than  he.  All  were  willing  to  do 
favors  for  him.  His  knowledge  of  the  country  and  people  gave  us 
many  advantages.  He  was  always  patient,  thoughtful  and  watchful 
for  our  comfort.  He  is  an  able  leader,  a  fine  linguist  and  a 
consecrated  Christian. 

(Signed)  W.  L.  FERGUSON, 
(Signed)  JOHNSTON  MYERS, 

;  (Signed)  JAMES  H.  FRANKLIN, 

C  oinmission  ers . 


LIST  OF  DOCUMENTS  APPENDED  TO  THE  REPORT 

I.  Report  of  Messrs.  Hartsock  and  Metzger  re  Liikanie  trip. 

'2.  Four  maps,  Tshumbiri,  Lac  Leopold  II,  Lukanie  and  Mfini  Districts. 
3.  Seliedule  and  Inventory  of  A.  B.  F.  M.  S.  properties, 
t.  Report  of  the  Congo  Educational  Commission. 

Report  of  the  Congo  Evangelical  Training  Institute. 

6.  Declaration  by  Dr.  Sims  re  work  in  French  territory. 

7.  Seliedule  showing  boundaries,  ijopulation  of  fields,  etc. 

8.  Petition  of  the  Ikoko  Church. 

9.  Petition  of  the  Palabala  Church. 

10.  Ivist  of  Extraordinary  Needs. 

I I .  Rough  Sketches : 

D)  Ikoko  Compound. 

02)  Tshumbiri  Compound. 

12.  Translation  of  French  Official’s  letter  to  A.  Billington. 


38 


CONGO  Kn^ER  (  SECTION  )  CONGO  FREE  STATE 


Stations  of  A.  B.M.  IT.  I  Matadl  Raiiroadfl  I  -  Scale  of  Statute  Miles. 

Cable  Ltoes:  . .  ■  I  Proposed  —  q  ioo  200 


